One Health action takes centre stage on World Rabies Day

Bagmati Province, Nepal — The Ministry of Health and Food Safety (MoHFS) and WHO Country Office for Nepal commemorated World Rabies Day 2026 on 28 September at the Department of Health Services (DoHS) under the theme “Stronger Together.” The programme was chaired by the Director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), with the Director General of DoHS as the Chief Guest and WHO Representative to Nepal a.i. Dr Allison Gocotano as the Guest of Honour. Also in attendance were government and WHO officials and partners. In his remarks, Dr Gocotano called for coordinated action across human, animal and environmental health sectors through a One Health approach to achieve zero dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. He emphasized equitable access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), sustained dog vaccination, meaningful community engagement, and the endorsement and implementation of the National Rabies Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2030. Presentations by EDCD highlighted the burden of rabies in Nepal, progress made by the MoHFS and priorities for elimination. Discussions focused on strengthening the One Health approach and implementing Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM) initiatives at national and subnational levels, which includes timely information sharing across sectors, joint risk assessment and investigation, appropriate animal assessment and rational use of PEP. The event provided an important platform to strengthen collective commitment and align national efforts with the goal of eliminating rabies as a public health problem. WHO reaffirmed its continued support to the Government of Nepal and partners towards achieving this goal.